The cast is still superlative and the emotional dynamics between the core characters are still compelling. Everything else (like the plot and the wigs and the Charmings' track record as parents) is at least bad enough to be funny.
With a smart decision to focus on the lead characters and not the overall "gimmick" plot of the season, Once Upon A Time feels renewed with a dark energy in its shockingly sprightly fifth year.
I think this was one of the stronger season premieres that Once has had. The new characters worked well, and the introduction of Camelot was intriguing. I cannot wait to see what happens next!
Once Upon a Time's season 5 premiere starts the season out right, delivering on an Emma gone bad but still showing her struggle to keep ahead of the darkness.
It's comforting to know Once Upon a Time is there as an entertainment families can rally around, and one that will challenge them thematically as much as it panders by playing in the Disney sandbox. [Blu-ray]
